Annett hopes for accelerated return to NASCAR competition

   Michael Annett, who suffered a cracked sternum in a wreck in the Feb. 23 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Daytona, will meet with his surgeon Monday at Carolinas Medical Center to check on his progress.

    Reed Sorenson is currently filling in for Annett in Richard Petty Motorsports’ No. 43 Ford until Annett is cleared to return to driving. The initial assessment was he would miss six to eight weeks of action.

   Annett said his team and NASCAR officials remain uncertain how he suffered the injury.

   “It was just that everything came together the worst way possible – the speed, the impact, the angle of impact,” Annett said. “Twelve years ago I wouldn’t be able to be standing here talking to you guys if we didn’t have the safety devices we have now.

 

   "The pain is gone pretty much right now, but sneezing and there are certain things I do where I get a little bit cocky and think I can do more than I can and tweak it a little bit, but, right now, it's just about time and everything healing back."

Hamlin drops appeal but NASCAR will still get its money

   Thursday afternoon brought a quick - yet untidy - resolution to the standoff between NASCAR and driver Denny Hamlin over the $25,000 penalty assessed to Hamlin for making what NASCAR considered "disparaging remarks" about the on-track competition following the Sprint Cup race two weeks ago at Phoenix.

   Hamlin on Thursday dropped plans to appeal the penalty but still vowed not to pay the fine. NASCAR will instead, per its rulebook, take the money from Hamlin's race winnings or points fund earnings.

   Statement from Hamlin:
   "After a lot of thought I have decided not to appeal the fine NASCAR has issued. Dragging myself, my team and NASCAR through the mud for the next 2 weeks would not be good for anyone. I firmly believe I am in the right on this issue and will stand behind my decision not to pay. I understand NASCAR will do what they feel is necessary based on my decision. Thanks to all of my fans and peers who have supported me in this decision. I look forward to putting it to rest."

   NASCAR statement:
   "NASCAR announced today that the $25,000 fine assessed to driver Denny Hamlin on March 7 will be settled per Section 12-3 of the 2013 NASCAR rule book after being informed by Hamlin that he will not appeal the penalty. Hamlin was fined after the sanctioning body determined he had violated Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing). NASCAR considers this matter closed."

Forbes' list of the highest paid NASCAR drivers

   Dale Earnhardt Jr. leads the way for the fifth straight year as NASCAR's highest paid driver, according to this year's rankings put out by Forbes. 

   It may or may not surprise you to know Earnhardt's three Hendrick Motorsports teammates - Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon and Kasey Kahne - all rank in the Top 10.

   Earnhardt's earnings topped $25.9 million, with off-the-track earnings of $13 million.
  
   Read the whole story here.

NASCAR reinstates Nationwide Series driver Jeremy Clements

   Release from NASCAR:

    NASCAR has reinstated driver Jeremy Clements upon the successful completion of stipulations following his indefinite suspension from NASCAR on Feb. 27 for violating the sanctioning body’s Code of Conduct policy. Clements will be on NASCAR probation until Sept. 13, 2013.

    “As part of the requirements for reinstatement, Jeremy Clements participated in an individualized program with Dr. Richard Lapchick and his staff at the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sports,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR senior vice president of racing operations. “In Dr. Lapchick’s judgment, Jeremy has successfully completed the program. We’re pleased that Jeremy has taken these important steps and will return to racing starting this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway.”

Check out NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon's wild ride

 

  Four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Seires champion Jeff Gordon and sponsor Pepsi MAX go to a car dealership where a disguised Gordon takes an unsuspecting car salesman on the test drive of his life.

    I'm thinking he won't forget this one!

You can own a piece of a Brad Keselowski burnout

   Miller Lite and Brad Keselowski have teamed up to auction off a unique piece of NASCAR memorabilia. On March 6 at a MillerCoors Distributor Convention, Brad performed a traditional “burnout” for fans in the Orlando World Center, leaving his mark on the carpet on the way out.

 

   Fans can own their very own “burnout” by bidding on one of 10 individual pieces of the carpet that feature the tire marks of the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion. Each item will be 2'x1' and will include an 8"x10" photo of the No. 2 Blue Deuce after the burnout signed by Brad.

    All of the proceeds of the eBay auction will benefit Brad’s Checkered Flag Foundation.

 

   To get to the auction, click here. 

 

  

Dale Earnhardt Jr. adjusts Nationwide schedule

   JR Motorsports general manager Kelley Earnhardt Miller announced Monday a change in NASCAR Nationwide Series schedules for drivers Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kasey Kahne.

    Earnhardt Jr. was previously scheduled to race in the May 4 race at Talladega Superspeedway as part of his four-race Nationwide slate in 2013. Now, he will compete in the Sept. 14 race at Chicagoland Speedway instead. In turn, Kahne will now compete at Talladega as part of his 11-race line-up in 2013. Both drivers will compete in Great Clips-sponsored Chevrolets – Earnhardt in the No. 88 Camaro and Kahne in the No. 5.

    “Kasey and I were chatting about our Nationwide Series schedules, and I was looking for more track time at a place like Chicago,” said Earnhardt Jr. “Kasey mentioned how he would love a shot at winning at Talladega.

    "One of our 2013 goals at JR Motorsports is to be a better asset to Hendrick Motorsports. For me personally, this scheduling change helps us do just that.”